Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in the House today to echo the tribute to the Canadian men and women who were called by the British government to assist the Allies' air defence and they answered “Ready, aye, ready”. We have them here today as a testimonial. This may be their last reunion as time catches up. We love to have the opportunity to salute their efforts.
I would also like to pay special tribute to the role women played in this vital service to the RAF.
Thousands of Canadians responded and offered their services to meet the Royal Air Force's critical shortage of personnel in the radar systems on land and sea and in the air. These brave men and women were required to train for eight rigorous weeks and went on to serve honourably at radar stations in Europe, Asia, Africa, Arabia, India, China and other Far East countries.
Many military historians attribute the victory in this war to the Allies' superiority in radar air defence.
All this week the radar technicians have been in Ottawa for what may be their last reunion because many of their operators may be too old to keep it going.